The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-09
GLADSTONE'S INVITATION
An Unusual Honor Conferred.
Why He Declines to Attend the Con.
stitutiOn Centennial.
The Only Person Not an American
Invited to attend.
He Speaks With Deep Regret Be
cause He Cannot Comply.
The JeAIeusics Prevalent I'm Eng
land One Cause--Ets Age and
the work 20 be Bone
tho Frat.

LONDON, September S.--The letter
containing the invitation to Mr.. Glad.
stone to attend the Cente NAL Cele-
bration Of the adoption Of the Amer.
lean Constitution at Philadelphia was
dated June oath, and was signed by
Messrs. Kssson, Little, Carson, and
Cochrane, the committee. Mr.. Glad.
stone was invited as the guest OF the
committee, and he was informed by
the gentleman who conveyed to him
the invitation that II was the only one
sent to any person not an American
citiEsn, or an accredited diplomat, the
exception IN his case being intended
as an express recognition Of the his
torical ties which bound Great Britain
and America before the Declaration Of
Independence. He was also assured
that he would be allowed to make
whatever arrangements he pleased
and would be entertained in
America as no man has been
since the visit OF Gen. lafayette. Mr..
Gladstone, on July Goth, made reply
to the letter, and assured the commit
tee OF the great honor he felt Ia re-
ceiving an invitation 10 the celebra,
ton OF the centenary OF the Ameri-
can Constitution. His letter con-
tinues:
"The attractions OF the invitation
are enhanced TO me by the cir
cumstsnces that / have always re-
garded that Constitution no thslmost
remarkable work known to tue
modern times 10 have been produced
by human intellect at q single stroke,
go to epssk, in its application to pollti-
cal ahsire. The invitation Ia acco m.
panied by every accessory that even
American hospitality could devise.
Had l o real option in the case, /
could not but accept, but the limita.
ton Of my strength and time, and the
inceesant pressure OF engagements
make me too we'll aware that rave
none 30 far rs l can see the whole
small residue OF activ ty at my COM
mand will be dedicated 10 the great
work at home. l regard the Irish
question No the most urgent and most
full OF promise Of beneficial results 10
my country that l have ever
been engaged In. / ought,
perhaps, to add that, viewing
the jealousies prevalent In England, IL
is doubtful whether they might not be
stimulated were TO accept the dis
tinction you offer me, which ia not
lees signal than undessryed. The
fret Of theee reasons, hosever, com.
pels me TO decline the most hiiterlng
proposal / have ever received. Ishsli
watch with profound interest the pro.
ceedings Of y0nT celebration, when
you will look back upon n century Of
national advancement that is without
q parallel la history, aud look forward
10 It's probable continuance upon q
still larger scale. Thst you end your
children may be enabled, by the help
OF the Almigh.v, TO worthily meet tho
accumulation OF high duties and re.
sponHibilitiee, proportioned 10 ever
growing power, will be, | AN conf
dem, the prayer OF your kinsmen here,
VINO hope, nay, believe, that the mora
relations bs'yeen several portions OF
one race ere wisely dettined 10 acquire
increasing harmony and ollssnese